The jungle burned in the distance, shadows of the swarm writhing against the fiery backdrop. Ace stood amidst the wreckage of his mecha at Alpha Base, his breathing ragged as he watched the turrets continue their relentless assault. He had stopped thinking hours ago—or maybe it had only been minutes. Time blurred as his body moved on instinct.
The swarm's screeches echoed in his ears, a cacophony that drowned out his thoughts. The narrow chokepoint he had chosen was working. Hundreds of the creatures funneled in, each one shredded by laser fire or crushed under his relentless attacks. But it wasn't enough. For every one he killed, it felt like ten more replaced it.
He gripped the oversized blade salvaged from his mecha's arm and charged into the swarm again. The blade hissed as it met the thick carapaces of the creatures, slicing through flesh and chitin with grotesque ease. Each kill sent splatters of acidic blood onto his suit, the stench burning his nostrils.
"I'm still here," he muttered through clenched teeth. "Still fighting."
Another creature lunged at him—a massive, insect-like thing with mandibles the size of scythes. Ace twisted, slamming the blade upward, severing the creature's head in a spray of green ichor. It toppled, crushing two smaller beasts beneath its bulk.
The turrets fired behind him, their blasts punctuating the carnage. He wasn't alone in this fight, but it felt like he was. Every step forward was a struggle, every swing of his blade an act of defiance against the overwhelming tide.
As he fought, a scream erupted from his comm. He froze for a split second, his heart seizing.
It was Wolfe.
"VEGA! Stay awake! Don't you dare leave me!" Wolfe's voice cracked with desperation.
Ace's grip tightened on the blade. He knew Wolfe had stayed behind to protect Vega, but hearing the raw fear in his voice made Ace's own rage boil over. They were fighting for their lives, but they were also fighting for each other—for the people who still mattered.
The blade in his hand felt like an extension of his rage as he charged forward again. His strikes became wilder, more brutal, every swing driven by the faces of his team, their voices echoing in his mind. The turret fire provided a symphony of destruction as Ace gave himself over to the fight.
"Come on!" he roared, his voice breaking. "Is that all you've got?!"
Another wave of creatures surged toward him, their shrieks deafening. He didn't stop. Couldn't stop. Each kill felt like a hollow victory, but it was better than the alternative. Better than failing.
Back at Beta Base
The battle at Beta Base raged on as Captain barked orders over the comms. The turrets on the north side lit up the sky as the alien hunters clashed with the swarm, their mechas slicing through the creatures with brutal efficiency. But even they weren't invincible. Explosions rocked the battlefield as the new type of swarm monsters detonated on impact, taking chunks out of the hunters' forces.
"Hold the line!" Captain shouted, her voice sharp and commanding. "We can't let them breach the perimeter!"
Shadow was on the east wall, her sniper rifle picking off targets with mechanical precision. Her breathing was steady, her mind focused. She had to be. The swarm was endless, but she couldn't let it consume her.
"Captain," Shadow's voice came through the comm, "I'm running low on ammo. We need to resupply soon."
"Hold out as long as you can," Captain replied. "We're stretched thin as it is."
The northern front was a bloodbath. The alien hunters fought valiantly, but their numbers were dwindling. Another explosion tore through their ranks, sending debris and bodies flying.
"Captain, they have lost half the hunters," Techie's voice crackled over the comm. "They're getting overrun."
Captain's jaw tightened. "We hold until Ace gives the signal. We can't afford to lose this base."
Wolfe's Struggle
Inside the titan's living quarters, Wolfe knelt beside Vega, his hands trembling as he adjusted the cloak around her. Her breathing was shallow, her skin pale and clammy. The healing drug had done its job, closing her wounds, but the blood loss was taking its toll. She was slipping away, and Wolfe didn't know how to stop it.
"Vega," he whispered, his voice shaking. "You have to fight. You have to stay with me."
Her eyes fluttered open briefly, unfocused and glassy. "Wolfe... it hurts..."
"I know," he said, tears streaming down his face. "I know it does. But you're strong. You're the strongest person I know. You can beat this."
She blinked slowly, her lips moving, but no sound came out. Wolfe leaned closer, his heart pounding.
"You can't leave us," he said, his voice breaking. "You can't leave me. I... I need you."
His hand clenched into a fist, his nails digging into his palm. He leaned down, his lips close to her ear.
"If you survive this," he whispered, "I'll tell you everything. I'll tell you how much you mean to me. Just... stay with me. Please."
Her breathing hitched, a faint sign of life. Wolfe wiped his eyes, his resolve hardening. He couldn't break down now. Not yet.
"I'll be back," he said, his voice firm. "I'll keep you safe, Vega. I promise."
He stood, his body trembling but his mind focused. He grabbed his weapon and stepped out of the titan, the sounds of battle pulling him back into the fray.
The jungle was a warzone, the air thick with smoke and the stench of death. Ace fought with unrelenting fury at Alpha Base, while Beta Base struggled to hold the line. Wolfe rejoined the fight, his heart heavy with the weight of Vega's fragile life.
But as the swarm continued its relentless assault, one thing became clear: their survival was hanging by a thread. And in the chaos, no one could see what horrors the night still had in store.